Stanford/Notre Dame Strategy Question

[50PoundHead]

Quick strategy question. It was obvious Notre Dame was going to let Stanford score with a minute left. My question is, why did Stanford bother going for the TD. Make Notre Dame take its last time out.

Run the clock down to 15 seconds or so and take a time-out on third down and kick a FG. That way, you still protect yourself on the bad snap and get another chance of 4th down. You've got all your time-outs, so you can try the FG again on 4th down.

Notre Dame still gets the ball, but probably can only run one play from its own territory.

In a non-strategy item from the game, I wonder if Clausen is still talking smack to Harbaugh. I've never seen a .500 team with a haughtier attitude than Notre Dame. After every play, the seem to hold a pose-down contest.

 

[forestlaker]

I was wondering the same thing. I would have taken a knee twice, then run the clock to 2 sec. and kick on fourth down. I can't remember seeing a team trying not to score but it would seem to be the better move.

 

[charlesbenjamin7]

I was wondering the same thing. I would have taken a knee twice, then run the clock to 2 sec. and kick on fourth down. I can't remember seeing a team trying not to score but it would seem to be the better move.

Jacksonville did it this year against the Jets. The only thing worth considering are the hashmarks in college are much wider. Thus, if you are going to use that strategy, you need to get the ball in the middle of the field to avoid a very awkward kick.

 

[DarrenTheGreek]

By getting their Heisman candidate another TD it looks better to the voters that only read boxscores.

 

[gopherhoopsguy]

I just love when Notre Dame has another loss to add to there record.

 

[Too Long in the Wasteland]

The difference is that one coach had confidence in his team, particularly his defense, and one coach didn't. Incidentally, that coach still has a job after this weekend.

Weis didn't have an alternative but to let Stanford score. I think Harbaugh was more about making a statement, both for his team and his star RB. Granted, I don't think he anticipated that nd would move the ball so quickly down the field. The only coaching decision I question of Harbaugh's in that last minute was why was there only single coverage on nd's best receiver?